System and methods for endoscopic imaging

ABSTRACT

A portable endoscopic inspection system comprises an endoscope having a proximal end with a flanged eyepiece for observation and a distal end with a lens assembly for insertion into a region of interest. A light port transports incident light to the region of interest along an lighting pathway, and reflected light is transported along an imaging pathway from the lens assembly to the eyepiece. A wireless imaging unit comprises a light source which detachably couples to the light port for generating the incident light, and an imaging sensor for recording images of the reflected light from the eyepiece. The wireless imaging unit comprises a variable coupling system which mechanically couples the imaging sensor to the flanged eyepiece independent of the shape and/or size of the flange of the eyepiece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/017,973 filed 11 Sep. 2020; which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/809,253 filed 10 Nov. 2017, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,772,488 issued 15 Sep. 2020; each of which is herein fullyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods utilizingan endoscopic imaging system. More specifically, this disclosure relatesto wireless transmission of an endoscopic image from a portable deviceto a remote display or remote storage.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy in a medical field permits internal features of a body of apatient to be inspected without a use of a traditional, fully-invasivesurgery. An endoscope typically comprises a system of lens at a distalend which transmits an image through an optical pathway housed within aflexible tube to an eye piece at a proximal end. A clinician can use theeye piece to inspect the internal features at the distal end or the eyepiece can be coupled to an imaging system. The imaging system generallyincludes a camera coupled to the eye piece that transmits a digitalimage data to display device over a physical cable. High intensity lightis provided at the distal end of the endoscope by an external lightsource. This light source is coupled to a light port, situated near theproximal end, by the eye piece, and transmitted to the distal end via anoptical pathway such as an optical fiber.

Endoscopic systems are typically expensive and complicated due to theirspecialized equipment and need for sterility in medical applications.The endoscope uses fiber optics for image and light transmission. Theimage is usually transmitted and processed through an expensive andcomplex image-processing unit that then displays the image on a separatedisplay, such as a video screen. This collection of images and videoprocessing units and displays are usually bulky and not mobile, and thusnot practical in emergent use or in areas of world were such equipmentare cost prohibitive. Furthermore, using an external video capture orscreening device usually requires bulky monitors, external cabling andexternal power. Similarly, a typical endoscope light source is remote tothe endoscope and must be connected via a fiber-optic type cable from asource to the light port of the endoscope. This configuration limitsmovement and mobility of the endoscope.

A typical light source unit is comprised of a high intensity lightsource, such as an incandescent bulb or light emitting diode (LED), adedicated optical cable, a ballast power supply, a set of controlcircuitry, and a cooling fan. These systems are expensive, complicated,and inefficient. Also, these systems must compensate for losses alongthe light conduit, monitor for hazardous conditions for patient causedby infrared heat, while allowing for a mechanical control of a colorcontent of a light, which can adversely affect image quality, especiallywhen a dedicated light cable that connects the light source to theendoscope is cumbersome.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an inexpensive, lightweight, mobileplatform that is both accurate and reliable, and does not require anexcessive amount of time to assemble or to establish externalconnections or cables.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a portable endoscopic inspection system ispresented. The portable endoscopic system includes an endoscope having aproximal end which has a flanged eyepiece for observation and a handle;a distal end which is for insertion into a region of interest; a lensassembly housed within the distal end; a light port; an illuminationpathway which optically couples the light port and the lens assembly totransport incident light to the region of interest; and an imagingpathway which optically couples the eyepiece and lens assembly fortransporting the reflected light from the region of interest to theflanged eyepiece. The portable endoscopic inspection system alsoincludes a wireless imaging unit which comprises a housing; a lightsource assembly which detachably couples to the light port forgenerating the incident light; an imaging sensor for recording images ofthe reflected light from the eyepiece; and a variable coupling systemwhich mechanically couples the imaging sensor to the flanged eyepieceindependent of the shape and/or size of the flange.

In another embodiment, wherein the variable coupling system comprisessensor optics which focuses the reflected light from the flangedeyepiece onto the imaging sensor; and a biasing member which biases thesensor optics directly against the eyepiece.

In another embodiment, wherein the variable coupling system furtherincludes at least one circumferential roller bearing which mechanicallyengages the flanged eyepiece to the variable coupling system in order todirectly couple the sensor optics with the flanged eyepiece; and anouter sleeve which translates bi-directionally in a lateral direction toselectively disengage the roller bearing from the flanged eyepiece.

In another embodiment, wherein the outer sleeve surrounds the sensoroptics and imaging sensor.

In another embodiment, wherein the roller bearing generates anengagement force opposite to the biasing member in order to axiallyalign the sensor lens and the eyepiece.

In another embodiment, wherein the eyepiece flange has a major width of30 mm to 40 mm.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furthercomprises a recess in the housing for magnetically receiving the lightsource assembly.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furthercomprises a ferromagnetic adapter which attaches to the light port andmagnetically couple the light source assembly to the light port.

In another embodiment, wherein the light source assembly furtherincludes a heat sink to dissipate heat away from a light source.

In another embodiment, wherein the light source assembly furthercomprises a multispectral light source; and a light guide whichoptically couples the light source to the illumination pathway.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source includes aplurality of light emitting diodes, each capable of outputting aselected wavelength.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source is capableof at least one of narrow band imaging, auto-fluorescence imaging, andwhite light imaging.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source is capableof selectively outputting a range of wavelengths from 365 nm to 540 nm.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furtherincludes at least one wireless transceiver for wirelessly transmittingthe recorded images.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furtherincludes at least two wireless transceivers for wirelessly transmittingthe recorded images from each wireless transceiver substantiallysimultaneously.

In another embodiment, the system further comprising at least onewireless receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted recordedimages.

In another embodiment, the system further comprising a docking stationwith at least one wireless receiver for receiving the wirelesslytransmitted recorded images.

In another embodiment, wherein the docking station further includes aninductive element for wirelessly transmitting power to a rechargeablebattery which supplies power to the wireless imaging unit.

In another embodiment, wherein the docking station further includes avideo output port for transmitting wirelessly received images to adisplay unit.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furtherincludes an image control unit which controls: (a) the image sensor torecord the images from the eyepiece and (b) the light source assembly toproduce the incident light which illuminates the region of interest.

In another embodiment, wherein the image control unit controls anautofocus driver to adjust the focal length between the imaging sensorand the sensor optics.

In another embodiment, wherein the wireless imaging unit furtherincludes an image processing unit which receives analog signals fromindividual pixels of the imaging sensor which correspond to the recordedimages, converts the analog signals to digital signals, and stores acorresponding digital image to an image memory.

In another embodiment, wherein the image processing unit comprises animage enhancement unit which adjusts individual pixels values of thestored digital image according a selected image processing algorithm.

In another embodiment, wherein the image processing algorithm isselected from color enhancement, greyscale enhancement, contourenhancement, pattern recognition, feature extraction, digital filtering,and any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, wherein the image processing unit comprises apost-processing unit which encodes the stored digital images forwireless transmission.

In another embodiment, further comprising an elongated flexible tubeextending from the handle to the distal end which houses the at leastthe imaging pathway and the illumination pathway.

In another embodiment, a method for performing an endoscopic examinationis presented. The method includes attaching a wireless imaging unit to aflanged eyepiece of an endoscope with a variable coupling system whichmechanically couples the imaging sensor to the flanged eyepieceindependent of the shape and size of the flange; attaching a lightsource assembly to a light port of the endoscope which receives incidentlight generated by the light source assembly; inserting a distal end ofthe endoscope into a region interest; transporting incident light from alight port along an illumination pathway to a lens assembly housedwithin the distal end; transporting reflected light from the region ofinterest from the lens assembly along an imaging pathway to the flangedeyepiece; and recording images from the flanged eyepiece with an imagingsensor.

In another embodiment, the method further including focusing thereflected light from the eyepiece onto the imaging sensor with sensoroptics disposed therebetween; and biasing the sensor optics directlyagainst the flanged eyepiece with a biasing member.

In another embodiment, the method further including mechanicallyengaging the flanged eyepiece with at least one circumferential rollerbearing of the variable coupling system in order to directly couple thesensor optics with the flanged eyepiece; and selectively disengaging theroller bearing from the flanged eyepiece by translating an outer sleevein either lateral direction.

In another embodiment, wherein the outer sleeve surrounds the sensoroptics and imaging sensor.

In another embodiment, wherein the roller bearing generates anengagement force opposite to the biasing member in order to axiallyalign the sensor lens and the eyepiece.

In another embodiment, wherein the eyepiece flange has a major width of30 mm to 40 mm.

In another embodiment, the method further including stowing the lightsource assembly into a recess of the wireless imaging unit housing usinga ferromagnetic coupling.

In another embodiment, the method further including magneticallycoupling a ferromagnetic adapter releasably attached to the light portto the light source assembly.

In another embodiment, the method further including dissipating heataway from a light source with a thermally coupled heatsink of the lightsource assembly.

In another embodiment, the method further including generating amultispectral incident light with a multispectral light source.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source includes aplurality of light emitting diodes, each capable of outputting aselected wavelength.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source is capableof at least one of narrow band imaging, auto-fluorescence imaging, andwhite light imaging.

In another embodiment, wherein the multispectral light source is capableof selectively outputting a range of wavelengths from 365 nm to 540 nm.

In another embodiment, the method further including wirelesslytransmitting the recorded images with at least one wireless transceiver.

In another embodiment, the method further including wirelesslytransmitting the recorded images with at least two wireless transceiverssubstantially simultaneously.

In another embodiment, the method further including wirelessly receivingthe wirelessly transmitted recorded images with at least one wirelessreceiver.

In another embodiment, the method further including wirelesslytransmitting power to a rechargeable battery which supplies power to thewireless imaging unit.

In another embodiment, the method further including outputting thewirelessly received recorded images to display unit.

In another embodiment, the method further including receiving analogsignals from individual pixels of the imaging sensor; converting theanalog signals to digital signals; and storing a corresponding digitalimage to an image memory.

In another embodiment, the method further including adjusting individualpixel values of stored digital image according a selected imageprocessing algorithm; and encoding the stored digital images forwireless transmission.

In another embodiment, a kit for a portable endoscopic inspection systemis presented. The kit includes an endoscope having a proximal end with aflanged eyepiece for observation and a handle; a distal end forinsertion into a region of interest; a lens assembly housed within thedistal end; a light port; an illumination pathway which opticallycouples the light port and the lens assembly to transport incident lightto the region of interest; and an imaging pathway which opticallycouples the eyepiece and lens assembly for transporting the reflectedlight from the region of interest to the flanged eyepiece. The kit alsoincludes a wireless imaging unit which comprises a housing; a lightsource assembly detachably coupled to the light port for generating theincident light; an imaging sensor for recording images of the reflectedlight from the eyepiece and a variable coupling system whichmechanically couples the imaging sensor to the flanged eyepieceindependent of the shape and/or size of the flange. Furthermore, the kitincludes a plurality of light port adapters, each of which having acentral channel of varying diameter, wherein each light port adapterreceives the light port at one end and magnetically couples to the lightsource assembly at an opposite end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram which shows a construction of a portableendoscopic inspection system and related external devices of a localarea network according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram which shows a construction of a portableendoscopic inspection system and related external devices over a widearea network according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication network utilized by aportable endoscopic inspection system according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wireless imaging unit according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a wireless imaging unitaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cut away view of a distal end of an endoscope according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7B are isometric views of a wireless imaging unit according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a wireless imaging unit according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a wiring diagram of a wireless imaging unitaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a variable coupling systemaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIGS. 11A-11B is a schematic view and a cross-sectional view of a lightsource assembly and associated light port adapter according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a structural diagram of a kit for portable endoscopicinspection system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an example of a user interface for a wireless imaging unitaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIGS. 14A-14H are various examples of user interfaces for an externaldevice according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 15 is flowchart detailing a method for performing an endoscopicexamination according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of this disclosure will be furtherdescribed in more detail with reference to various accompanying drawingsso that the this disclosure may be readily implemented by skilledartisans. However, one should note that this disclosure is not limitedto the embodiments disclosed herein, but is capable of being embodied orcarried out in various other ways. In drawings, some parts irrelevant todescription are omitted for simplicity of explanation, and likereference numerals can denote like parts through this disclosure.

In this disclosure, a term “connected to” or “coupled to” that is usedto designate a connection or coupling of one element to another elementincludes both a case that an element is “directly connected or coupledto” another element and a case that an element is “electronicallyconnected or coupled to” another element via still another element(wireless). Further, in this disclosure, a term “comprises or includes”and/or “comprising or including” means that one or more othercomponents, steps, operation and/or existence or addition of elementsare not excluded in addition to various described components, steps,operation and/or elements unless context dictates otherwise.

Terms and words used in this disclosure and claims are not to beconstrued as a general or dictionary meaning, but are to be construed tomeaning and concepts meeting various technical ideas of this disclosurebased on a principle that inventor can appropriately define variousconcepts of terms in order to describe their own inventions in bestmode.

Various features and aspects of this disclosure can be best understoodby reference to various accompanying drawings, when considered during inlight of below.

FIG. 1 shows a set of main components of a portable inspection system 10used during an endoscopic examination according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure. An endoscope 12 is inserted into a patient 14 using aportable inspection system 10 to inspect a region of interest 16, suchan organ or biological tissue or in vivo. The region of interest 16 isilluminated by an external light source 18, which directs incident lightalong an illumination pathway such as an optical fiber which extendsalong a tube of the endoscope 12 to an illumination lens at a distalend. The illuminated region of interest 16 reflects the incident lightback to an imaging lens at the distal tip to convey the reflected lightalong an imaging pathway, such as an optical fiber. The reflected lightis received by a wireless imaging unit 20, which includes a digitalimaging sensor that converts the reflected light into a digital image,which can displayed on a touchscreen display unit 22 or another form ofdisplay, whether, which may be haptic or non-touch-enabled. For example,this form of display can include an LED display, a plasma display anelectrophoretic display, a holographic display, or others. Note that thepatient 14 can be a mammal, such as a human or others.

The imaging unit 20 is capable of high speed wireless bi-directionaldata communication 24 to one or more of external devices 25simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. The external devices 25are capable of directly receiving data, such as digital images, digitalvideo, or other information pertaining to an endoscopic examination. Theexternal device 25 can also directly transmit data to the imaging unit20, such as control signals to remotely control the imaging unit 20 andinformation regarding the endoscopic examination, such as patient datain a form of electronic medical records (EMR). One external device 25 isa docking station 26, which is capable of displaying the digital imageson an integrated display unit 28 or on an external display 30, such as atelevision or display monitor, which is connected via a display cable32. Another external device 25 includes personal computer devices, suchas desktop computers 34; portable devices 36, such as smart devices,smart phones, personal digital assistants, tablet computers, wristmounted displays, smart watches, or others; laptops or portablecomputers 38; head mounted displays 40; or other personal computingdevices developed in future not yet contemplated.

With reference to FIG. 2 , in another embodiment, the imaging unit 20 iscapable of wireless communication 24 to a plurality of remote devices 42indirectly over a cloud connection or Internet connection 42 for remoteviewing of the endoscopic images, video, or examination data and forremotely receiving controls and/or EMR data. Note that this connectioncan be any type of network, such as a local area network (LAN, a widearea network (WAN), or others, whether encrypted or unencrypted. EMRdata can include a collection of patient and population healthinformation electronically stored in a digital format. EMR data mayinclude a range of patient information, such as demographics, medicalhistory, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory testresults, radiology images, vital signs, personal statistics like age andweight, and billing information. EMR data can be stored on a healthinstitution server 46 such as those located at a hospital, insurancecompany, government entity, remote data center, or others. EMR data canbe stored on cloud storage system 48. The cloud storage system 48 can bea data storage system where the digital EMR data is stored in logicalpools wherein the physical storage spans multiple servers and oftenlocations in a distributed fashion in order to ensure redundancy, faulttolerance, durability of data. Institution server 46 and cloud storage48 can include a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) whichis capable of providing storage and access to medical images frommultiple modalities using a universal image format such as DigitalImaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format.

One should note that institution server 46 and cloud storage 48 can becompliant with data protection and privacy regulation, such as HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in United States ofAmerica, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in European Union,Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) inCanada, National Health Portal compliance set by Insurance Regulatoryand Development Authority of India (IRDAI), or other complianceregulations mandated globally.

With reference to FIG. 3 , an embodiment of a portable inspection system10 is depicted. The wireless imaging unit 20 is wirelessly coupled to alocal network 50 via a wireless access point 52 using a suitablewireless transmission protocol such as the 802.11 family of modulationtechniques, IEEE 802.15.4a ultra-wideband (UWB), and the like(Bluetooth). The local network 50 may include cables, switches, androuters which may utilize Ethernet standards for communication. At leastone institution server 46 maybe in communication with the local network50. For example, the institution server 46 may store or have access toEMR data which maybe access by the wireless imaging unit Additionally,the local network 50 may be attached to a picture archiving andcommunication system (PACS) 54 which may communication with theinstitution server 46 and the wireless imaging unit 20. At least oneexternal device 45 is coupled to the local network either directly via aphysical connection or wirelessly via the wireless access point 52 andin some embodiments optically via a waveguide. In addition, a firewall56 or other network security technology maybe connected to the localnetwork 50 to control access to the Internet 44. For example, anauthorized remote device 42 may access the local network 50 via a WAN,such as Internet 44, utilizing a secure connection facilitated by thefirewall 56. In addition, the cloud storage system 48 to store orretrieve data may be accessed via the WAN, which is facilitated by thefirewall 56.

With reference to FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the endoscope 12 and thewireless imaging unit 20 coupled is depicted. The endoscope 12 includesa distal end 60, a proximal end 62, an elongate, flexible tube 64, and ahandle 66. The tube 64 extends between the distal end 60 and theproximal end 62, while being adjacent to the handle 66. The endoscope 12is detachably coupled to the portable imaging system 20 by a variablecoupling system 58, which mechanically couples a distal end of theimaging system 20, which includes an imaging sensor, to an eye piecesituated at the proximal end 62 of the endoscope 12. The distal end 60houses an illumination lens, which is optically coupled to a light port68 near the proximal end 62 through an illumination pathway. The lightport 68 transmits a high intensity incident light from a light sourceassembly 70 to the illumination lens at the distal end 60 in order toilluminate a region of interest. The distal end 60 also houses animaging lens, which is optically coupled to an eye piece through anoptical pathway for transmitting an image from the region of interest tothe eye piece at the proximal end 62. The image is based on the incidentlight from the light source assembly 70 reflected from the region ofinterest to the imaging lens. The imaging lens and illumination lenstogether form a lens assembly which is discussed in even further detailbelow. The images or video captured from the region of interest are thenpost-processed by the imaging unit 20 and can be display locally on atouchscreen display unit 72 or another form of display, whethertouch-enabled or non-touch-enabled, such as haptic, holographic,electrophoretic, or others.

The light source assembly 70 is magnetically coupled to the light port68 by way of a light port adapter 74. The light port adapter 74 attachesto the light port 68 by a screw mechanism, a friction fit, or othermechanical attachment method to securely couple one another. The lightport adapter 74 is composed of a ferritic material in order to achievethe magnetic coupling. The light source assembly 70 is capable ofoutputting multi-frequency or multi-spectral light at varyingintensities. The frequency and intensity of light is controlled by thewireless imaging unit 20, which sends control signals over a controlcable 76.

With reference to FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the endoscope 12 and thewireless imaging unit 20 uncoupled, such as unassembled, is depicted. Atthe proximal end 62 of the endoscope 12 is an eyepiece 78. The eyepiece78 includes a flange 79 which can suitably vary in diameter, angle, andthickness as needed for the endoscope 12. For example, many of theendoscope 12 eyepieces 78 can be manufactured with a conventionalC-mount coupling, which uses an industry standing 31.75 mm diametereyepiece. However, due to manufacturing tolerances, a diameter can beslight larger or slightly smaller than the industry standard 31.75 mm,such as within about 20% range. Furthermore, a flange angle or a flangethickness may vary from manufacture to manufacture since there may be noindustry standards governing these dimensions. Therefore, the variablecoupling system 58 can accommodate slight differences in diameter,thickness, and flange angle of the eyepiece 78. The variable couplingsystem 58 is discussed in even further detail below.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 6 , a close-up view of thedistal end 24 of the endoscope 12 is depicted. At the distal end 24 ofthe flexible tube 64 is a lens assembly 80. The lens assembly 80includes at least an illumination lens 82 and an imaging lens 84. Aspreviously mentioned, the illumination lens 82 is optically coupled tothe light source assembly 70 by an illumination pathway 86. Theillumination pathway 86 can be a flexible optical fiber or any otheroptical transmission medium capable of transmitting the multispectralincident light from the light source assembly 70. The reflected lightfrom the region of interest is collected by the imaging lens 84, whichis optically coupled to eyepiece 78 by the imaging pathway 88, whichalso run along the flexible tube 64 and handle 66. The imaging pathway88 can be a flexible optical fiber or any other optical transmissionmedium capable of transmitting the multispectral reflected light fromthe region of interest to the eyepiece 78.

With reference to embodiments of both FIGS. 7A and 7B, a perspectiveview of the wireless imaging unit 20 coupled to the distal end 62 of theendoscope 12 is depicted in which a light source assembly 70 is in adocked and undocked configuration, respectively. The imaging unit 20comprises a housing 90 which defines a distal end 92 and a proximal end94. At the distal end 92 of the housing 90 is the variable clampingsystem 58, which mechanically couples the distal end 92 of the imagingunit 20 to the proximal end 94 of the wireless imaging unit 20. At theproximal end 94 of the housing 90 is a circular recess 96 forferromagnetically receiving a light source assembly. A bezel 98 isdefined at an outer edge of the circular recess 96 where the housing 90meets the circular recess 96. When the light source assembly 70 is inthe docked configuration, there is a cable channel 100 in the housing 90for stowing the control cable 76 substantially flush with an externalprofile of the housing 90. The channel 100 ensures that the controlcable 76 can safely secured and mitigates potential damage duringtransport or storage when the portable inspection system 10 is not inuse. When in the docked state, the light source assembly 70 also coversthe touchscreen display unit 72 and acts as a protective cover.

When the light source assembly 70 is in an undocked state, thetouchscreen display unit 72 is uncovered as well as a light ring 102 iscomposed of a ferritic material to accommodate the ferromagneticcoupling between the light source assembly 70 and the housing 90. Thelight right 102 also includes a hall effect sensor, which detectswhether the light source assembly 70 is in a docked or undocked state.When in a docked state as shown in FIG. 7A, the hall effect sensorsignals a controller, which controls the wireless imaging unit 20 toturn off or place the wireless imaging unit 20 in low power standbymode. When in an undocked state as shown in FIG. 7B, the hall effectsensor signals a controller to turn on the wireless imaging unit 20 andthe user is presented with a user interface on the touchscreen displayunit 72 to control the wireless imaging unit 20.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 8 , a cut away view of thewireless imaging unit 20 coupled to the endoscope 12 with the lightsource assembly 70 in a docked state is depicted. At the proximal end 94of the imaging unit 20, the light source assembly 70 is in a dockedstate. The light source assembly 70 includes a housing 108, which housesa high intensity multispectral light source 110 which is mounted on alight source printed circuit board (PCB) 112 which includes variouselectronic components for receiving various control signals from theimaging unit 20 and for controlling an intensity and a frequency orfrequencies of an incident light generated by the light source 110.

The light source PCB 112 is thermally coupled to the housing 108 by athermal interface material, which acts to transmit heat generated by thelight source PCB 112 to the housing 108. The housing 108 can beconstructed of a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum, amagnesium alloy, a titanium alloy, or any other suitable material with ahigh thermal conductivity to act as a heatsink for the light source 110and light source PCB 112. The heatsink housing 108 protects light source110 and light source PCB 112 from overheating allowing an endoscopicprocedure to continue for an extended duration without risking thermaldamage to electronics or the light source 110.

The light source 110 is covered by and optically coupled to anillumination lens 114. The illumination lens 114 directs, focuses, andoptically couples an incident light from the light source 110 to theillumination pathway 86. The light source 110 includes a single lightemitting diode (LED) or a plurality of LEDs each having a differentspectral or frequency output. The plurality of LEDs are eachindividually controlled or tuned to put the desired frequency orfrequencies of incident light. For example, the LEDs can be narrow bandLEDs capable of outputting at least one frequency within the range of365 nm to 540 nm or multiple frequencies within that range. Themultispectral light source 110 is also capable of outputting frequenciesof light required for auto-fluorescence imaging and white light imaging.Control signals for controlling the intensity of each LED within themultispectral light source 110 are sent over the control cable 76 fromthe imaging unit 20. Using a user interface displayed on the touchscreendisplay unit 72, in an external device or on a remote device 45, a usercan select which imaging frequencies are output from the multispectrallight source 110 during an endoscopic procedure.

The light source housing 108 includes a ferromagnetic ring 116 whichmagnetically couples the light source assembly 70 to the light ring 102.As previously mentioned, when the ferromagnetic ring 116 comes incontact with the light ring 102, a hall effect sensor in the light ring102 detects the presence of a magnetic field and sends a signal to thecontroller to turn off the wireless imaging unit 20.

With reference to embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 , the housing 90 of thewireless imaging unit 20 may or may not be a hermetically sealedenclosure. The housing is designed to protect a number of internalcomponents including the touchscreen display unit 72, a plurality ofcontrol PCBs 120, a plurality of mounting standoffs 122 which secure thecontrol PCBs 120 within the housing, and at least one thermal heatsink124. The standoffs 122 and heatsinks 124 are thermally coupled to thePCBs 120 and the housing in order to draw or dissipate heat away fromthe internal electronic circuitry towards the housing 90.

The PCBs 120 includes a number of electronic circuitry components whichcontrol and power the wireless imaging unit 20, as depicted in FIG. 9 .The electronic circuitry included on at least one of the PCBs 120 isincluding in a system controller 130 and a power controller 131. Thesystem controller 130 includes a plurality of circuit components thatare responsible for controlling aspects the imaging device 20. Thesystem controller 130 includes a microprocessor 132, which interfaceswith a number of electronic components to send and receive instructionsto control various aspects of the imaging unit 20 functions. The systemcontroller 130 includes a storage device 134 which is a memory devicesuch as a computer readable storage medium, such as transistor memory orothers, such as cache memory, flash memory, or others, for programinstructions to be executed by the microprocessor 132. In addition toprogram instructions, the storage device 134 can store EMR related datasuch patient and procedure data. The system controller 130 also includesan illumination controller 136 which receives instructions from themicroprocessor 132 to adjust an intensity or brightness of an incidentlight from the light source 110 as well as a frequency component orcomponents of the incident light.

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 138 receives analog signals from animaging sensor 140 and converts the analog signal to a digital signal,which can then be post-processed by an image processing unit 142. Thetype of imaging sensor 140 can be selected from complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), charge coupled device (CCD), or otherimaging sensor devices developed in future but not yet contemplated. Theimage processing unit 142 is capable of performing a number of imageprocessing and post processing techniques in real-time or substantiallyreal-time on captured digital images or videos. Examples of imageprocessing techniques include edge detection, objection detection,geometric transformations, perspective correction, color correction,color calibration, motion compensation, data compression, noisereduction, filtering, or others. The image processing unit 142 is alsocapable of controlling a functionality of the imaging sensor 140, suchas adjusting a focal depth by controlling an integrated autofocusmechanism, pixel clock, sensitivity, offset, signal amplification, gain,gamma, or others. The image processing unit 142 is capable or adjust animage size that is displayed on an external or remote device 25, 42 dueto difference in screen resolution or aspect ratio between devices.Another feature of the image processing unit 142 is to automaticallyalign various captured images such that the captured images are centeredin a display independent of a size, aspect ratio, or resolution of thedisplay being used whether the display is the local display 72, adisplay of an external device 25, or a display of a remote device 42.The image processing unit 142 receives a set of display information fromthe microprocessor 132 and formats an output image correspondingly.Post-processed images can then be stored on an image memory 144 forlater retrieval to be viewed locally on the touchscreen display 72,externally on an external device 25 via direct wireless connection orover the local network 50, or remotely on a remote device connected viaan Internet connection 44.

The system controller 130 includes at least one wireless transceiversfor connecting the wireless imaging unit 20 to a local network via awireless access point 52, directly to an external device using apeer-to-peer direct connection, such as Wi-Fi Direct. In anotherembodiment, the system controller 130 includes 20 or more wirelesstransceivers 146 in order for the wireless imaging unit 20 to maintainmore than one simultaneous or substantially simultaneous wireless dataconnection. For example, the system controller 130 can stream image dataduring an endoscopic procedure to two or more external devices 25,remote devices 42, institutional servers 46, cloud storage systems 48,and any combination thereof.

The system controller 130 also includes a number of input controllers,such as a touchscreen input controller 150 and a gesture inputcontroller 152. The touchscreen controller 150 receive a user's touchinput data from the touchscreen display unit 72 which permits the userto input data onto the storage device 134 or control an operation of thewireless imaging unit 20. For example, a user can input metadataregarding a stored image or video pertaining to an endoscopic procedure,user can also use the touchscreen to access and populate 1 data into thedisplay 72 regarding an upcoming endoscopic procedure, the user canauthorize access for an external or remote device 25, 42 to remotelyview an endoscopic procedure in real-time or substantially real-time.The gesture controller 152 receives gesture input data from at least onegesture sensor 154, such as a motion sensor like a gyroscope oraccelerometer, a photo-sensor, a radar antenna, or a microphone. Bydetecting gesture data from a user, the system controller 130 can becontrolled without direct input from a user to adjust light sourcefrequency or intensity, control image capture, or the like usinggestures such as those detected by a motion sensor detecting motion ofthe imaging unit 20; a radar antenna can capture touchless user handmotions and detect gestures therefrom in order establish interactionswith the imaging unit 20 without direct touch; a microphone can detectvoice controls; and other gesture sensors and gesture types not yetcontemplate.

The system controller 130 also includes an input-output (I/O) datatransfer port 156 capable of transfer of digital data to an externaldevice, such as a personal computer, smartphone, tablet, or the likeusing a convention Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. The I/O port156 is also capable of powering the imaging unit 20.

The power controller 131 provides power to various electronic componentsof the imaging unit 20, such as the imaging sensor 140, the light source110, the system controller 130, the display unit 72, or others. Thepower controller 131 includes a power regulator 160, which receivespower from the I/O port 156 or an internal rechargeable battery 162. Thepower regulator 160 regulates the voltage and/or current which is thesupplied to such electronic components. The power regulator 160 alsoregulates a recharging of the rechargeable battery 162. As previouslymentioned, the I/O port 156 is capable of supplying power to the imagingunit 20 as well as providing power to recharge the battery 162. Thepower controller 131 also includes an inductive charging element 164which can also supply power to recharge the battery 162. The dockingstation 26 may also include a complementary inductive charging elementto transit is wireless charging signal to the inductive charging element164. Thus, by placing the wireless imaging unit on top of the dockingstation 26, a charging cycle will commence which will in turn charge thebattery 162, which can be internal. The rechargeable battery 162 maybe aconventional lithium-ion type rechargeable battery, but other batterytypes and chemistries are also contemplated. In some embodiments, thepower controller 131 includes a wireless charging element which alsosupply power to recharge the battery 162, with the wireless chargingelement being radiofrequency based, optically based, acoustically based,or others. As such, the wireless image unit 20 can be used withoutplacement on top of the docking station 26, yet still be recharging.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 10 , a cut-away view of thevariable clamping system 58 is depicted. The variable coupling system 58mechanically couples the wireless imaging unit 20 to the flange 79 ofthe eyepiece 78 through an opening at the distal end 92 of the imagingunit 20. As previously mentioned, the flange 79 angle, diameter, and/orthickness can vary amongst manufactures of endoscopes 12; therefore, theclamping system 58 is capable of securing the eyepiece 78 and imagingunit 20 together independent of these variations in the flange 79thickness, diameter, and/or angle. To accomplish this, the clampingmechanism 58 includes a bearing lock coupling in which an outer sleeve170 which is loaded by a spring 172 in between the outer sleeve 170 andan inner sleeve 174. The inner sleeve 170 includes a plurality of rollerbearings 176 disposed in a corresponding number of tapered holes ofreceptacles. The outer sleeve 170 is normally in a relaxed state whichengages the roller bearings 176 to locked state in which the rollerbearings 176 are forced or pushed inwards towards an opening whichaccepts the eyepiece 78. This effectively decreases a diameter of theopening, which ensures that the eyepiece 78 remains locked in thecoupling mechanism 58. To disengage the roller bearings 176, the outersleeve 170 can be translated bi-directionally in a lateral direction, inother words pushed or pulled from the relaxed state, to selectivelydisengage the roller bearing 176. When disengaged, the roller bearings176 retreat outward away from the opening into the receptacles of theinner sleeve 174. This arrangement allows the user to either push orpull the outer sleeve 170 to release the roller bearings 176 to eitherinsert the eyepiece 78 into the opening or remove the eyepiece 78 fromthe opening. This arrangement also allows for a eyepieces of varyingdiameter to be secured within the clamping mechanism 58. By having theopening slightly larger than the industry standard of 31.75 mm, such asan opening 32-35 mm in diameter, and having the roller bearings 176extend into the opening at least 4-8 mm, the clamping mechanism 58 canaccept and secure eyepieces over a range of 30-35 mm.

To account for variable thickness in the eyepiece flange 79, the imagingsensor 140 and corresponding optics 180 are biased directly against theeyepiece 78 independent of the thickness of the flange 79. A biasingmember or spring 182 acts against a mounting bracket 184, which securesthe imaging sensor 140 and the optics 180, laterally towards theeyepiece 78 to ensure that the imaging sensor 140 and the correspondingoptics 180 are secured directly against the eyepiece 78. The imagingsensor 140, the imaging optics 180, the biasing member 182, and themounting bracket 184 are all disposed within the inner sleeve 174 of thevariable clamping system 58. In this arrangement, the imaging sensor140, the imaging optics 180, and the mounting bracket 184 can translatelaterally and independently of the housing 90 of the imaging unit 20allowing for the wireless imaging unit 20 to accept eyepieces 79 withvarying flange 79 thicknesses.

With reference to embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 11B, a cut-away view ofthe light source assembly 70 and the light port adapter 74 is depicted.As previously mentioned, the light source assembly 70 includes a housing108, which acts as a heatsink to draw heat away from the light source110 and the light source PCB 112. Disposed within the housing 108 is aferromagnetic ring 116 which maybe in a continuous ring of aferromagnetic material or a plurality of discrete ferromagneticelements. The light port adapter 74 has a base 190, which attaches tothe light port 68 and a top 192, which is composed of ferritic materialsso as to magnetically couple with the ferromagnetic ring 116. The lightport adapter 74 defines a central shaft 194 which accepts the light port68 in a number of mechanical fastening fashions. For example, thecentral shaft 194 can include a female helical thread pattern tocomplement a male helical thread pattern found on a light port 68 of theendoscope 12. However, other mechanical or engineered fittings are alsocontemplated such an interference fit and the like.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 12 , a portable endoscopicinspection kit 200 for producing endoscopic images of a region ofinterest is presented. The kit 200 includes a carrying case 202, whichhouses in a secure manner a set of contents of the kit 200 as well asbeing particularly adapted for travel to remote locations in whichelectrical and wireless internet connections are not readily available.The kit 200 includes (i) an endoscope 12 for transmitting incident lightto a region of interest 16 and receiving the reflected light therefromin the form of images; (ii) a wireless imaging unit 20 for recording thereflected images from the region of interest 16; (iii) a plurality oflight port adapters 74A-74F each of which varies according to itsrespective central shaft 194A-194F in order to accommodate a pluralityof light ports 68 geometries; (iv) a wireless access point forwirelessly receiving recorded images from the imaging unit 20 andwirelessly transmitting the receiving images to an external device 25;(v) an external device 25, such as a docking station 26 and/or anexternal display device 30 for displaying the recorded images; and (vi)a power supply unit 204 which includes a rechargeable battery thatsupplies power to the various components, such as recharging the imagingunit 20, the wireless access point 52, the docking station 26, thedisplay device 30, and an accessory port 206 for providing power to anexternal device and receiving power to charge the rechargeable batteryor to directly supply power to the various components of the kit 200.

As previously stated, endoscopes from various manufactures vary in sizeand shape of its respective light port and eyepiece flange. Therefore,in order to accommodate light ports with varying dimensions, the kit 200includes a plurality of light port adapters 74A-74F each of which variesaccording to its respective central shaft 194A-194F. For example, acentral shaft 194A-194F may vary in major or minor diameter, threaddensity, thread pitch, or others.

The kit 200 allows a practitioner or a user to travel to remote areaswhere no electricity if available. For example, while travelling in avehicle, the accessory port 206 can be plugged into a DC power port inthe vehicle to recharge the rechargeable battery of the power supply204. Upon reaching their destination, the practitioner or the user canexamine patients without being burdened by wires for power, datatransfer, and/or display. One can appreciate that the kit 200 mayinclude other accessories which useful to a practitioner in order toperform an endoscopic inspection. In some embodiments, the kit 200includes a renewable energy source, such as a photovoltaic array, a windturbine, or others, configured for electrical or mechanical couplingwith the accessory port 206.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 13 , the wireless imaging unit20 includes a user interface 300, which allows a user to control thedevice in order to adjust, control, display, process, transfer, store,and retrieve recorded image data and/or EMR data. The user interface 300is typically displayed on the touchscreen display unit 72, but can alsobe displayed on an external device 25 directly via the I/O port 156 orwirelessly via the transceiver 146. A user interacts with the imagingunit 20 using a variety of inputs which can take the form of (i)directly interacting with the touchscreen 72; (ii) using a remotecontrol, such as a wireless joystick, a gamepad, a wireless controlpanel, or a remote function using a smart device authorized with theimaging unit 20; (iii) using gestures that are sensed by the gesturesensors 154 and then interpreted by the gesture controller 152; (iv) andother input methods not yet contemplated.

Once the imaging unit 20 is powered up, the user interface 300 ispresented to the user on the display 72. The user interface 300 includesa number of indicators and/or buttons to relay information regarding astate of the imaging unit 20 to the user. The user interface 300includes a connection status indicator 302 which has four states, eachof which is denoted by a different icon for the indicator: adisconnected state in which the imaging unit 20 is not connected to anyexternal devices 25, a searching state in which the imaging unit 20 issearching for available external devices 25 connected to the network 50,a connected state in which the imaging unit 20 is currently connected toat least one external device 25, and a casting state in which theimaging unit 20 has successfully established a connection with anexternal device 25 and is currently transmitting the recorded images inreal time to the connected device 25. A user can interact with theconnection status indicator 302 by pressing an icon in order to cyclethrough any one of the connections states.

Other indicators or buttons includes a battery status indicator 304,which shows the rechargeable battery 162 level in a form of apercentage; a video record button 306, when depressed, will initiatestoring the image data from the imaging sensor 140 as a time series ofimages or a video to the local image memory 144, an external device 25,a remote device 42, institutional server 46, cloud storage 48, orothers; an image capture button 308, when depressed, will initiatestoring a still image from the imaging sensor 140; a light controlbutton 310 which can control the intensity and/or frequency of theincident light from the light source 110; and a settings button 312,when depressed, will display verbose information about imaging unit 20.

With reference to embodiments of FIGS. 14A-14H, the portable endoscopicsystem 10 includes a user interface for the external device 25. Whenfirst launching the user interface on the external device 25, a userwill be prompted by a log in screen 320 to log into an application orsoftware using personal credentials in order to access features of thesystem 10, such as via passwords, biometrics, multi factorauthentication, or others. Once the user is logged into the software,the user is presented with a welcome screen 322 which allows the user toaccess Settings, View Patient Data, initiate a New Procedure, Add aPatient, and the like. From the View Patient Data screen 324, the usercan select a patient data file from a list of individual patient datafiles, each of which is associated with respective EMR data. Once aspecific is selected, a patient is presented with a media screen 326which displays a list of images and videos that are associated with therespective patient. From there, the user can view endoscopy images andplay video by clicking on the specific file, users can also zoom in/zoomout images, users can edit image with drawing on image with finger touchand add caption on double tap of image, users can play and controlendoscopy videos using standard play, pause, forward and backwardplayback of the video 328.

From the New Procedure Screen 330, a user can initiate patient'sendoscopy procedure and also view, edit, or delete individual patients.To start new procedure for patient, the user will click on the patientand a New Procedure Input screen 332 will prompt a user to input patientdata or fill in missing data. Once the patent information is complete,an option to Start New Procedure 334 will be presented to the user.

From the Settings Screen, a user is presented with options andinformation regarding the imaging unit 20. For example, the user canadjust network settings such as wireless transceiver 146 connectivity towireless access points 52. Other settings include: About settings,Device Info, Subscription Info, Time & Date, Clinical Provider, Help,Register Institute, Contact Us, User Info, Restore Patient Data,Firmware Upgrade, and the like.

With reference to an embodiment of FIG. 15 , a method for performing anendoscopic examination 400 includes a step S10 of attaching the wirelessimaging unit to a flanged eyepiece 78 of the endoscope 12 with avariable coupling system 58 which mechanically couples the imagingsensor 140 to the flanged eyepiece 78 independent of flange shape andsize. A step S12 includes attaching the light source assembly 70 to thelight port 68 of the endoscope 12. The light port 68 receives anincident light generated by the light source assembly 70. A step S14includes inserting the distal end 60 of the endoscope 12 into the regioninterest 16 of a patient. A step S16 includes transporting the incidentlight from the light port 68 along an illumination pathway to the lensassembly housed within the distal end 60 of the endoscope 12. A step S18includes transporting reflected light from the region of interest 16with the lens assembly 80 along an imaging pathway to the flangedeyepiece 78. A step S20 includes recording images from the flangedeyepiece 78 with the imaging sensor 140 of the wireless imaging unit 20.

Although this disclosure has been described in some detail for purposesof clarity, a skilled artisan will realize that certain changes andmodifications may be made without departing from principles thereof. Oneshould note that there are many alternative ways of implementingsystems, devices, and methods described herein. Accordingly, variousembodiments of this disclosure are to be considered as illustrative andnot restrictive, and this disclosure is not to be limited to variousdetails given herein, which may be modified within scope and equivalentsof appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit, comprising: a unit including a first housing, a cable, and a second housing, wherein the first housing houses a battery and a wireless transmitter, wherein the battery powers the wireless transmitter, wherein the second housing houses a light source, wherein the battery powers the light source via the cable; and an access point including a wireless receiver, wherein the access point sends an imagery to a display external to the unit and the access point when the wireless receiver receives the imagery from the wireless transmitter based on the first housing attaching to an endoscope and the light source attaching to the endoscope.
 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first housing houses a user control interface to control the light source or the imagery.
 3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the first housing includes a screen presenting a graphical user interface depicting the user control interface, wherein the battery powers the screen.
 4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the screen is a touchscreen.
 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first housing houses a variable coupling system which attaches to the endoscope.
 6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first housing has a first portion, wherein the second housing has a second portion, wherein the access point sends the imagery to the display external to the unit and the access point when the wireless receiver receives the imagery from the wireless transmitter based on the first housing attaching to the endoscope and the light source attaching to the endoscope such that the first portion is orthogonal or perpendicular to the second portion.
 7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
 8. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: a case containing the unit and the access point.
 9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first housing houses an imaging sensor powered by the battery, wherein the imaging sensor enables the imagery.
 10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first housing is spherical.
 11. A method, comprising: enabling a user to: attach an endoscope to a unit, wherein the unit including a battery, a light source, and a display, wherein the battery powers the light source and the display, and illuminate the endoscope via the light source such that an imagery is generated and the display presents the imagery.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the unit has a user control interface to control the light source or the imagery.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the display depicts the user control interface.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display is a touchscreen.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the unit has a variable coupling system which attaches to the endoscope.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the unit has an imaging sensor powered by the battery, wherein the imaging sensor enables the imagery.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the unit has a portion that is spherical. 